Just a year after his amateur heroics at St Andrews, where he held the joint lead with a round to go only to shoot 78 and finish tied 30th behind Zach Johnson, the Greystones star (23) claimed one three spots on offer at the Marquess Course.

He followed a flawless four-under-par 68 in the morning with 67 in the afternoon to post a nine-under-par total of 135 and win by one from England's Ryan Evans, with Robert Rock a shot further back after taking the third spot after a play-off with compatriot Aaron Rai.

"I love the course and I always seem to play well at this time of year," said Dunne, who now has a chance to build on his fine performance at last year's Open when he set a new amateur record while sharing the 54-hole lead.

"Hopefully this is the last time I have to qualify because it's been very nerve-wracking. There was a bit of nerves out there. To be honest I tend to struggle in the rain.

"This morning I had a bogey-free 68 and the longest putt I holed was about four foot. I was hitting it so good."

Dunne will join Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry, Graeme McDowell and Darren Clarke at Royal Troon from July 14-17.

There are still places up for grabs at this week's 100th Open de France and next week's Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open.

Kevin Phelan (69-70) finished two shots outside the mark at Gailes Links in Glasgow, where Colin Montgomerie's five-under total was enough to take the third spot behind winner Oskar Arvidsson and Spain's Scott Fernandez.